Say
you find yourself on a family trip to Washington, D.C., and your
beloved wants to remember the weekend with a miniature statuette of the
White House. Sound dreadful? Do not fear—walk to 15th Street NW by the
corner of G Street and turn into no. 699—then plead ignorance when it
turns out to be a superb cigar shop rather than a tchotchke emporium.
Beg for an hour on your own while your family trods on, sightseeing.

This
is the new W. Curtis Draper, located a few blocks from the White House
and right next door to the White House Gift Shop. The cigar store
actually occupies space that once was the gift shop, in its larger days,
giving your subterfuge plausibility. Tourists have walked in by
mistake, and cigar smokers have happily stayed urging their non-smoking
compatriots to leave them be, if only for a while.

The
Draper’s location is a great spot in D.C., a short walk from the White
House and Washington Monument and across the street from the U.S.
Treasury. The shop stocks many a superb cigar brand: Padrón, Fuente,
Rocky Patel, Partagás 1845, Illusione, Tatuaje—too many to list in
total. It has two small but workable seating areas, and is tastefully
decorated.

Drapers
has long been busy, but moving to this very busy street has boosted the
shop’s foot traffic. Large windows allow a smoker to linger inside and
watch the world go by—and it’s quite a busy world.

The
new space gave Drapers more room for cigar lovers, and it also gave the
store the opportunity to break out all manner of cigar memorabilia that
it had previously kept in storage—now the items are proudly on display
behind glass on the ramp by the entrance.

I can't wait to try this place out. Sure, it's 2 hours away, but for a good cigar shop, it's worth the drive.

I do hope, however, that when I arrive I'm not surrounded by a group of snivelling, weak males who think the only way to do what they want is through deceit, trickery and begging.

I recognize it was intended as humor, but it isn't funny to be talked to as if I had no courage, was completely disrespected by my family, was completely disrespectful TO my family and treated like a child in my own marriage.

Perhaps next time you could talk to the men as if they were men - not sissies. Or, if you think you've accurately depicted reality, perhaps you could sack up and experience actual, authentic manhood.

J RUNITED STATES, August 22, 2012 2:22pm ET

Says the guy who's insecure in his own masculinity!

Jacob Laughlin August 22, 2012 3:11pm ET

Those who use the "I'm secure in my sexuality/masculinity" are only using that as an excuse because they want to be girly and feel okay doing so, no matter what their nature tells them.

J WoodMechanicsburg, PA, August 23, 2012 7:47am ET

For J R, Insecure in masculinity = willing to tell the truth, treat family respectfully, demand to be treated respectfully.

Yeah, masculinity, you've got that whole thing figured out.

Olivier PlassouxMontfermeil, France, August 23, 2012 11:49am ET

nice place, I've been only once in july.
I'm french and I do not know so much the brands in the US.
The sellerman gave me good advice and indicate me good cigars.

Very good cigar shop i'll visit again in couple of weeks

WILLIAM PALEYMC LEAN, VA, UNITED STATES, August 23, 2012 2:51pm ET

The first commenter has abviously not been married, traveling on a tourist trip with their family to DC. Other than that Drapers is the Acme of cigar shop elegance and conviviality, open to all, accepting every level of security and gender. Don't bring in the kids though.

Charles HelbigOakland, Maryland, USA, August 23, 2012 6:30pm ET

Wow, there are some really grouchy aficionados out here in cyberspace...I think everyone to sit back, relax and have a cigar.

bill cAugust 24, 2012 2:31pm ET

I went here a few weeks ago, stumbled in by accident on a family vacation not unlike the text above... Pleasantly surprised to find this gem, filled with a few business types having an after-work smoke. Desk staff were great and made some suggestions based upon a few sticks I had picked out. Wound up with a killer LaAurora on sale and a Liga Privada 9 which I smoked then realized what it was... and how hard to find more :-) Crowd was cool, staff was great. Also a nice little wine shop nearby.

Draper's has a location in Bethesda too. It's is my favorite place and crowd in DC to enjoy a stick. When I visit other cigar lounges, I compare them to Draper's and their staff. Here's the address: 4916 Del Ray Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814. (301) 907-7990.

Ps - I don't work for them, I'm just a raving fan.

Robert FuderichKingston 6, Jamaica, October 8, 2012 7:27pm ET

It's a great place for great selection of cigars and good advice. I get to DC once a month. Always pick up ages sticks, smoke one or two and then head over to Shelly's Backroom only two blocks away...a classic cigar bar. Listen...you can't go wrong here. Best place in DC. Wifi, tv and a great crowd.

David McKenzieBozeman, Montana, USA, October 10, 2012 12:43pm ET

Thanks Masoud! I'll be in the Bethesda area, and your information gives me a reason to look forward to it. Cheers!

Ben WaxFletcher, NC, USA, November 22, 2012 2:56pm ET

Oh my, just left DC. Wish I had been more on top of things. Would love to have stopped in!

Otis "O" MorrisColumbus, Ohio, USA, December 10, 2012 9:56pm ET

I will be sure to stop by next time I am in the Capital! Gotta love Partagas 1845's on a roadtrip!